### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew root רָהָה (râhâh), designated `{{H7297}}`, is identified as a primitive root whose core meaning revolves around the concept of fear. Its primary definition is "to fear" or "to be afraid." Unlike some other Hebrew terms for fear, which can encompass a broad semantic range including reverence or awe (e.g., `{{H3372}}` יָרֵא, *yare*), רָהָה appears to denote a more specific and intense form of negative apprehension. It conveys a sense of dread, terror, or overwhelming fright, suggesting a state of being utterly shaken or dismayed by an impending threat or revelation. Its primitive nature implies a fundamental, visceral experience of fear.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The root רָהָה (râhâh) is remarkably rare in the Masoretic Text, appearing only once. This singular occurrence is found in the book of Isaiah:
* [[Isaiah 44:11]]: "Behold, all his associates will be put to shame, and the craftsmen themselves are but men. Let them all assemble themselves, let them stand up; they will be terrified (רָהוּ - *rāhû*), they will be put to shame together."
In this powerful polemic against idolatry, the prophet Isaiah contrasts the omnipotence of Yahweh with the impotence of man-made idols. The form רָהוּ is the Qal perfect 3rd person masculine plural of רָהָה. The context depicts the ultimate fate of those who rely on or create idols: they will gather, but not to triumph. Instead, they will be overwhelmed by a profound terror and simultaneously subjected to public shame. The fear described here is not a reverential awe, but a debilitating dread that accompanies the exposure of their folly and the judgment against their false worship. It is a fear directly linked to the realization of their idols' utter worthlessness and their own vulnerability before the true God.
### Related Words & Concepts
While רָהָה (râhâh) is unique in its rarity, it exists within a semantic field of Hebrew words related to fear and terror. Comparing it to these terms helps to delineate its specific nuance:
* `{{H3372}}` יָרֵא (*yare*): The most common Hebrew word for fear, which can mean both "to revere" (as in "the fear of the Lord") and "to dread." רָהָה lacks the positive, reverential aspect of יָרֵא, focusing solely on the negative, unsettling experience of fear.
* `{{H6342}}` פָּחַד (*pachad*): To dread, tremble, be terrified. Often implies a sudden, overwhelming terror or alarm.
* `{{H2729}}` חָרַד (*charad*): To tremble, quake, be anxious. Frequently describes a physical manifestation of fear or agitation.
* `{{H926}}` בָּהַל (*bahal*): To be terrified, dismayed, or thrown into confusion; often implying a panicked haste.
The singular occurrence of רָהָה in [[Isaiah 44:11]] suggests it may convey a specific, perhaps profound and incapacitating, terror that leads directly to shame and disgrace, a nuance not always captured by the broader terms. Its association with the public humiliation of idolaters is particularly distinctive.
### Theological Significance
The theological significance of רָהָה (râhâh) is intimately tied to its sole biblical appearance in [[Isaiah 44:11]]. This word does not describe the "fear of the Lord" (יִרְאַת יְהוָה), which is portrayed as the beginning of wisdom and a proper reverence for God. Instead, רָהָה depicts the terror that grips those who oppose God or place their trust in false deities.
This fear is a direct consequence of divine judgment and the exposure of spiritual falsehood. It underscores the ultimate futility and profound shame of idolatry. When the true God reveals His power and sovereignty, the idolaters and their craftsmen will not only be put to shame but will also be overwhelmed by a terrifying realization of their error and the impotence of their creations. This terror is not a path to repentance or wisdom, but a manifestation of divine justice, revealing the emptiness of human-made constructs and the dreadful state of those who stand exposed before the Almighty without His favor. It serves as a stark warning about the consequences of spiritual rebellion and misplaced trust.
### Summary
`{{H7297}}` רָהָה (râhâh) is a rare Hebrew primitive root signifying "to fear" or "to be afraid," specifically denoting an intense, negative dread. Its singular appearance in [[Isaiah 44:11]] is highly significant, where it describes the profound terror and shame that will befall idolaters and their craftsmen. This fear is distinct from the reverential "fear of the Lord," instead representing a debilitating dread that results from divine judgment and the revelation of the worthlessness of idols. The word thus powerfully conveys the ultimate futility of idolatry and the terrifying consequences awaiting those who do not acknowledge the one true God.
TRV